Understanding Lake Wyangan

Just about everyone has an opinion about what should and should not be done at Lake Wyangan, but are all of those opinions realistic?

Griffith City Council has launched an education program - Understanding Lake Wyangan - to help locals understand the complex issues facing the lake’s restoration.

The program aims to explain the water quality and quantity changes of Lake Wyanga, best management practices, ecosystem health, the history of the lake and future project plans.

Lake Wyangan and Catchment Management Project officer for the program, Dr Emad Kavehei was formerly Water Resource Engineer with the Australian Rivers Institute.

He has also worked in North and South East Queensland on different water-related projects to treat nutrients and sediment runoff into the reef catchment.

Dr Kavehei said the aim of the education program was to share and gain knowledge with residents.

“I think it is important for everyone to learn about the lake’s history and physiochemical characteristics of Lake Wyangan so that we can move forward with improving water quality,” Dr Kavehei said.

“We have been able to find information dating back to the early 1920s.

“Of interest is that the area was originally known as Lake View.

“Lake Wyangan is a highly complex ecosystem and comprises a multitude of stakeholders and various environmental considerations.

“We have provided information on the challenges and opportunities with the lake.

“People may not be aware that the North lake was formed in 1957 on a swampy area with a gypsum mine in one corner.

“It was referred to as Doolitty Swamp. “The purpose of the mine was to supply gypsum, calcium sulphate, from the deposits to the settlers in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.

“We have tried to explain the potential impact of unmined gypsum on the lake’s water quality.”

Griffith Mayor, Doug Curran, said he hoped the program would assist locals to gain a better understanding.

“I know that I have found some of the history behind the lake extremely interesting and I’m sure many people will,” Councillor Curran said.

The program includes historical images, diagrams and photos. It also includes a scope of proposed works.

Council will share a series of short videos in the coming months to help explain how Lake Wyangan was formed and how the current concept plan works.

More details about Lake Wyangan can be found at www.griffith.nsw.gov.au.

• Topics:

• The Environment